Bundesheer Budget: Tricky Decision on Fighter Jets Postponed to Fall

Austria's military budget is set for an increase in the coming years, with crucial acquisitions under the "Aufbauplan 2032+" largely secured. However, a significant decision regarding the financing for the replacement of the aging Eurofighter combat jets has been postponed until the fall.

These 15 Eurofighters are mandated for retirement by 2035, necessitating a timely replacement. While the government has committed to increasing military spending to 2% of GDP by 2032, current budget projections indicate this target will remain out of reach. The military budget for 2027 is set at approximately 5.3 billion euros, rising slightly to just over 5.4 billion euros in 2028. These figures represent about 1% of the GDP, a level expected to persist until around 2031.

Despite the budget increases, which Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer stated are essential for protecting Austria and its neutrality in a volatile geopolitical climate, not all planned expenditures are guaranteed. Informed sources suggest that some projects may face cuts or delays. The "Aufbauplan 2032+" does include the purchase of Leonardo M-346FA jets, slated for delivery starting in 2028, and the acquisition of medium-range air defense systems, with a decision on the type expected this year.

The deferred decision on the Eurofighter replacement is a point of contention. Experts estimate the cost of new fighter jets could reach around 10 billion euros. The ÖVP party had pushed for a financial commitment during the current budget negotiations, but Marterbauer resisted, leading to the agreement to address the issue separately in the fall. This postponement leaves a critical capability gap unresolved for the foreseeable future.

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Given the extremely difficult and uncertain geopolitical situation, we are enabling the Bundesheer to protect us and our neutrality.